Behind the numbers: Wyoming vs. Tulsa
LARAMIE -- You have to feel good for Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley.
The embattled junior bounced back from a lackluster outing in Champaign that read like a horror story -- 5-of-20 for 30 yards and an interception -- and had a career outing Saturday inside War Memorial Stadium, throwing for 256 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a nail-biting 40-37 double-overtime victory over Tulsa.
Peasley was efficient and resourceful, if you ask head coach Craig Bohl. He also tacked on a team-high 45 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
It wasn't always pretty -- Wyoming allowed 521 yards of total offense, including 460 yards through the air -- but in the end, it's a win.
Here are some numbers that helped them get there:
1
Wyoming scored its first offensive touchdown of the season when quarterback Andrew Peasley laid in a perfect 48-yard throw to Will Pelissier late in the second quarter. It took nearly six full quarters for that unit to get on the board.
2
On the second offensive snap of the game, Jordan Bertagnole hammered Tulsa quarterback Davis Brin, causing a fumble that was later recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by linebacker Easton Gibbs.
90
That's how many passing yards Peasley finished with in the first half. He also connected on 7-of-10 throws, a far cry from his debut in Illinois when the Utah State transfer finished 5-of-20 for 30 yards and an interception.
256
Peasley finished with the number above in the passing category. It was a career day for the junior, who also connected on a pair of long touchdown passes in this one.
22
That's how many rushing yards the visitors had in the first half on 16 carries. That includes Brin's minus-23 yards on three carries. Tulsa finished with 61 yards on 32 attempts. That's an average of 1.9 yards per carry.
8
Easton Gibbs led the Cowboys' defense with that many tackles today. On Tulsa's second play from scrimmage, the sophomore middle linebacker pounced on a loose ball in the end zone to give Wyoming an early 7-0 lead.
7
Shae Suiaunoa had his best outing in a UW uniform, racking up seven tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Bohl said he could be better after the opener. Saturday, he was.
3
That's how many pass breakups nickelback Keonte Glinton finished with in the win over the Golden Hurricane. He drew the tall task of covering Tulsa's slot receiver, Keylon Stokes. The senior did haul in a team-high 11 passes for 136 yards and a score, but he also had a critical fumble late in regulation.
4
That's how many field goals John Hoyland made on Saturday, including a career-best 55-yarder that turned the tide in this one. With just a few ticks remaining in regulation, the sophomore from Broomfield, Colo., clanked one off the right upright from 44 yards out. He would redeem himself in overtime, hammering through both attempts from 25 and 30 yards.
4
That's how many catches UW tight end Parker Christianson finished with against Tulsa. The Sheridan native turned those grabs into 45 yards. It was a career day for the sophomore.
7-2
That is Bohl's record in his nine home openers since coming to UW in 2014.
3
All three phases put points on the board Saturday. The offense accounted for just 12 points, while the Cowboys' special teams unit chipped in with 22. The defense also added six on Gibbs' fumble recovery for a score in the first quarter.
4
That's how many sacks the Cowboys were credited with Saturday. The first one went to Casper product Jordan Bertagnole, who forced the fumble on the second play from scrimmage. DeVonne Harris, Braden Siders and Suiaunoa also tallied one QB takedown.
47.8
That's Clayton Stewart's average from Saturday's win. Wyoming's punter had a rough outing in the opener, including shanking a pair of 22-yarders against the Fighting Illini. In this one, the Texas State transfer was consistent and finished with a long of 61.
7
That's how many times these two programs have met on the football field. Tulsa entered Saturday with a three-game winning streak in the series. Wyoming now leads 4-3 overall. The Cowboys are also 3-0 against the Golden Hurricane in Laramie.
2009
Ryan Marquez not only blocked the punt, the junior receiver returned it nine yards for the score to cap Tulsa's first offensive possession of the second half. The last time that happened was in 2009 when Luke Ruff got his hand on a Texas punt. True freshman Ghaali Muhammad scooped and scored from six yards out.
20,574
That was today's paid attendance inside War Memorial Stadium for the Cowboys home opener. Nearly 10,000 shy of capacity.